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What to know about SCOTUS Hobby Lobby ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Hobby Lobby can be exempt from the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate, a ruling that gives some companies the right to refuse to pay for certain birth control coverage because of religious objections.

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What to know about SCOTUS Hobby Lobby ruling

The Supreme Court ruled Monday that companies cannot be forced to offer insurance coverage for birth control methods they equate with abortion. People on both sides of the issue reacted outside the Supreme Court right after the ruling came down.

Dustin Barnes, The Clarion-Ledger 8:44 p.m. CDT June 30, 2014

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Hobby Lobby can be exempt from the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate, a ruling that gives some companies the right to refuse to pay for certain birth-control coverage because of religious objections.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Hobby Lobby can be exempt from the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate, a ruling that gives some companies the right to refuse to pay for certain birth-control coverage because of religious objections.

Hailed as a victory for religious freedom — including from Mississippi's own governor — the court's ruling is narrower than some believe. Here are some of the high points on what the ruling will and won't do.

• Does the ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. apply to all corporations?

No. The justices repeatedly mention the ruling applies to stores such as Hobby Lobby, entities known as closely held corporations. Such corporations have limited stockholders and do not trade regularly on the stock market.

"The opinion for now and the foreseeable future is limited to those closely held corporations," said Matthew Steffey, a constitutional law professor at Mississippi College School of Law.

• Could the ruling cover vaccinations, blood transfusions or other procedures objected to by some religions?

No. The Hobby Lobby ruling is a narrow one, said Steffey. "It applies just to the so-called contraceptive mandate (of the Affordable Care Act)."

Steffey added that some may have religious objections to paying taxes or into Social Security, but those are also not considered exempt under religious freedom.

• Will female employees at stores like Hobby Lobby have access to free birth control?

Yes. The ruling only states that the business is not required to cover the four forms of birth control that its owners view as abortion-inducing procedures, ones that can prevent a fertilized egg from being implanted.

As Justice Anthony Kennedy pointed out, the government already allows religious nonprofits and smaller businesses exemptions to the contraceptive mandate, instead allowing those employees access to free birth control paid for by the government.

• How does the court's decision build on corporate rights?

In 2010's Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the court ruled corporations can't be restricted from contributing to political causes, an action deemed as expression of free speech.

"On a scale of one to 10, if Citizens United was a nine, then Hobby Lobby is a two or three," said Steffey. "The (recent) ruling is a small step in corporate rights because it limits the freedom (of religion) to those closely held corporations."

• What's the impact of the ruling on Mississippi?

The state passed its own version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act this year, a law mirroring the 1993 federal law cited by the Supreme Court in Monday's Hobby Lobby ruling.

But the court specifically stated that no business can illegally discriminate against a protected class under the guise of religious liberty.

Essentially, a Christian business owner would not be protected from refusing service to a Muslim patron, as religious status is protected under federal law. The court's ruling can be used as a guideline to how the state may or may not enforce its own religious liberty law.

Mississippi reaction

• "I am very pleased the Supreme Court moved to uphold religious freedom today in its opinion in the Hobby Lobby case. Its decision confirms my position that our state did the right thing in enacting a state-level Religious Freedom Restoration Act and protecting religious liberty for Mississippians."

— Gov. Phil Bryant

• "All corporations and churches that hire women should offer proper insurance and that insurance should provide conception measures. This is a woman's choice and only that woman has to live with it and most of all answer to Jesus."

— Anthony Hudson

• "I'll shop more with Hobby Lobby for standing firm in their beliefs!!"

— Mary Lou Hall

• "I don't think my employer should have to cover the costs of me having sex and possibly becoming pregnant. That's just really dumb. Just like us working people have to take care of the non-working people who are just abusing the system. No one wants to be responsible adults and be accountable for their own actions!"

— Wendy French

• "Is everyone aware that (birth control) isn't actually a right? Insurance company policies offer different coverages based on the terms chosen by the employer. From things such as hospice, residential treatment facilities, other prescription coverage. I'm not sure how (birth control) is any different than any of the other coverage options that employers are allowed to choose to cover."